Auditions/New Students

Auditions for new and transfer students who plan to begin classes in Fall 2023 will be held live on the Marywood University campus.

Winds, Strings, Percussion, Guitar | Schedule Audition »

Voice, Piano, Organ, Musical Theatre | Schedule Audition »

Voice, piano, organ and musical theatre auditions will take place in the Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center.

Auditions may be booked online for the following Saturday:

All Undergraduate & Transfer Students

Acceptance by the University is required before an audition can be scheduled. 

• Apply to University. (click “Admissions” for further information).
• FAFSA Deadlines for financial aid: February 15 (fall entry) and November 1 (spring entry).
• For talent scholarship consideration, auditions must be completed by March 1.
• Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in music courses at Marywood. Transfer students in education must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for acceptance.
• Freshmen education majors must have a minimum SAT score of 970 (Math/Reading combined).

Marywood University Scholarships and Talent Awards

General Guidelines for All Auditions

For Musical Arts

• BM music education; music therapy; music performance

Perform two contrasting works demonstrating technical skills and musicianship (see below for suggested repertoire by instrument). Memorization of vocal audition pieces is strongly recommended.

For Theatre Arts 

Musical theatre majors must audition in voice, acting, and dance.

Prospective theatre majors should contact Dr. Timothy Pyles (tpyles@maryu.marywood.edu) to arrange an acting audition or interview.

Voice (for Musical Theatre Majors)

Musical theatre applicants should perform two contrasting musical theatre selections, or one classical piece and one musical theatre selection.

Dance (for Musical Theatre Majors)

You will be taught a short dance routine. Please bring attire that allows freedom of movement.

Acting (for Musical Theatre Majors and Theatre Majors whose focus is performing)

Please prepare a 2-4 minute memorized monologue from a published play. Select a piece that is appropriate for your age and ability. The theatre evaluator will be looking for a truthful and believable representation of the character. Show through your voice and body that you understand the character’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Non-performance (for Theatre Majors whose strength is in production work)

If you have exhibited a talent for non-performing aspects of theatre such as stage management, design, or technical production, be prepared to show a portfolio of your work (pictures, designs, production books, DVDs) or to discuss your theatre experiences. If your focus is performing and you have accrued experience in technical production, please show material to demonstrate your versatility.

Do I Need to Audition?

BM music education, music therapy, music performance; BA arts admin/music; and BA music (musical theatre) majors must audition. Musical theatre audition includes acting and dance components (bring comfortable clothes and shoes). Theatre students will audition/interview with the program director. 

Skills Assessment

Sight-Singing and Sight-Reading

Sight singing and sight reading are a part of all auditions.

Suggested audition repertoire (by instrument)

Vocal

1. Art song (in Italian, French, or German)
2. Classical or folk selection in English

Keyboards

Piano

Two contrasting works from different compositional periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary)

Organ

1. Classical work from standard organ repertoire
2. Two verses of a traditional hymn: (1) include appropriate introduction; (2) first verse played as written; second verse may be a re-harmonization or improvisation based on first verse
3. Technique exercises (facility on manuals and pedals)

Woodwinds & Brass

• Flute; Clarinet; Saxophone; Oboe; Bassoon
• Trumpet; Horn in F; Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba
  

1. Be prepared to perform two excerpts, each lasting from 3-5 minutes. One excerpt should emphasize technical skill and the other should be lyrical to emphasize expressiveness. These excerpts may be taken from a concerto, sonata, or solo work.
2. Major scales ascending and descending (multiple octaves when possible) with articulations as determined by audition committee.

Percussion

Applicants should bring drum sticks and mallets and demonstrate proficiency on multiple instruments.

• Snare Drum: Concert-style snare drum solo demonstrating concert rolls, flams, ruffs
• Drum Set (Optional): drum set proficiency in swing, rock, & Latin styles

• Keyboard Percussion/Mallets: Two-mallet solo from standard repertoire required (Optional: four-mallet solo demonstrating skill level)

• Timpani: Timpani solo on at least two timpani, including rolls. Demonstrate ability to tune timpani from a given piano reference pitch

Strings

Violin; Viola; Cello; Harp; Double Bass

1. Two stylistically contrasting movements (technical v. lyrical) from standard classical repertoire demonstrating performance skills as soloist
2. Major/minor scales (2 octaves)

Acoustic Guitar

1. Two stylistically contrasting solo pieces from standard classical repertoire
2. Major/minor scales (melodic minor form, 2 or 3 octaves)

Electric Bass Guitar

1. Two contrasting jazz pieces, melody
2. An improvised bass line and bass solo
3. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (2 octaves)